© Korean Powder Metallurgy Institute - 887 - 1. Introduction Hardmetals (WC-Co) are the most widely used wear resistant composites because of their excellent combination of wear resistance and strength. TiC-base cermets (tungsten-free hardmetals) have proved successful in some applications because of their fair specific strength and favourable physical properties. This paper focuses on the mechanical and tribological behaviour of some advanced TiC-base cermets in terms of their performance as tool materials for cyclic loading (blanking) applications. Another important aim was to identify any correlation that might exist between blanking performance on the one hand and fatigue endurance and adhesive wear resistence on the other hand. 2. Experimental and Results Table 1 shows the advanced TiC-base cermets, the performance of which was tested in complicated wear conditions (in relation to ordinary WC-hardmetal H15). Durability tests followed the procedure used in the functional tests − in the blanking of electrotechnical sheet steel in a 3-position (reinforced with alloys – in Table 1) die. Durability was evaluated by the side wear ∆ of the dies after the intermediate service time of 0.5x10 6 strokes [1]. Fatigue tests resembled those for the bending fatigue under repeated transverse bending load [2]. The wear performance of alloys was studied in the cutting adhesive wear conditions [1]. The wear resistance L 1 was determined as the length of the cutting path (by turning mild steel at low peed). Tests were complemented by XRD studies. A decrease in the intensity ∆I of the X-ray reflection lines from carbides (as a measure of local plastic strain) was determined. Table 1. Structural characteristics, hardness HV and transverse rupture strength R TZ of composites Grade Carbide [wt%] Binder composition, structure HV [GPa] R TZ [GPa] H15 T70/14 T60/8 85 WC 70 TiC 60 TiC Co(W) Fe+14Ni steel, austenite Fe+8Ni steel, martensite-bainite 1.15 1.25 1.20 2.9 2.2 2.3 Results of functional tests – wear contours of cutting edges (and side wear ∆) of carbide tools refer to an superiority of the grade T70/14 over an ordinary WC-base hardmetal (grade H15) (Fig.1) and TiC-cermet grade T60/8. The results of adhesive wear trials confirm the superiority of grade T70/14 over H15 and T60/8. The results of fatigue tests revealed a lower fatique sensitivity (slope of Wöhler curve, Fig.2) in relation to H15 in the behaviour of grade T70/14. There exists a good correlation between cemented carbide blanking performance, its fatigue sensitivity (factor ∆S = Sm 7 – Sm 3 ) and adhesive wear resistance L 1 . 2006 POWDER METALLURGY World Congress C07-07-2 Performance of Cemented Carbides in Cyclic Loading Wear Conditions J. Kübarsepp a , H. Klaasen b and F. Sergejev c Department of Materials Engineering, Tallinn University of Technology, Ehitajate tee 5, 19086, Tallinn, ESTONIA jakob.kubarsepp@ttu.ee fjodor.sergejev@ttu.ee Abstract The present study describes the wear and mechanical behaviour of carbide composites in cyclic loading applications (blanking of sheet metal). Adhesive wear as well as fatigue endurance were tested, complemented by XRD studies. It was found that the blanking performance of a carbide composite is controlled by its resistance to adhesion wear and fatigue sensitivity. XRD studies revealed that fatigue damage is preceded by plastic strain in both phases of the composites Keywords: cermet, cemented carbide, fatigue, blanking performance